They say there is no substitute for experience, and James Moses of Botswana proved that old adage very true on the final day of the ICC World Twenty20 Africa C Qualifier tournament in Gaborone.

At 53 years young, he produced runs, wickets, a run out and a beaming smile to help seal a Cinderella finish for the hosts, who defeated the favourites by three wickets in the final.

Both teams were already through, but Botswana and their very loud fans treated the occasion with the necessary attitude. They were well up for it, and completed an excellent week of hosting in fine style.

Namibia has dominated all-comers with bat and ball this week, but this time they were stopped in their tracks. They managed 116 for nine on Saturday, with the evergreen Lo-handre Louwrens notching 36 upfront.

Behind him, however, there was precious little. Young Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton made 21, but by then Moses had removed the dangerous Jan Frylinck and Du Preez. The veteran then ran out the well-set Zane Green for 15 to further derail the Namibian rescue. Thatayaone Tshose took three for 33 to put the finishing touches to a fine team effort in the field.

Chasing 117, Reginald Nehonde’s sensible 30 off 36 balls was the glue needed to get the hosts close. Moses, not content with his role with the ball, carted two fours and a six to get them to the brink of a famous victory, with the crowd getting louder and louder with anticipation.

When the end came, Moses was the man of the moment, on a day that the enduring face of Botswana Cricket will not easily forget.

Namibia 116-9 (L Louwrens 36, J Loftie-Eaton 21; T Tshose 3-33, J Moses 2-19)
Botswana 117-7 (R Nehonde 30, J Moses 20)
Botswana won by three wickets

Photo: ICC